Rodents & Nuisance Animals

Racoon Control in Massachusetts

Racoon Control in MA – Raccon Wildlife Control Call 781-893-2146

Waltham Pest Control provides raccoon control services to home owners throughout Greater Boston Massachusetts. Raccoons can be one of the worst nuisance animals for homeowners in Massachusetts. If you have raccoons invading your property, call Waltham Pest Control today and we will provide you with a free estimate to control these nuisance animals.

About Raccoons in Massachusetts

Raccoons are found throughout Massachusetts. They are extremely adaptable thriving in a wide variety of habitat types including rural, suburban and even urban neighborhoods. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever is most abundant and readily available, including human discards, garbage or pet food.

Raccoons are mostly active at dawn, dusk and at night, however they may be active during the day if food is available. Daytime activity does not mean that the raccoon is diseased. Raccoons occupy a variety of habitat types from agricultural to forested areas and can also live in urban and suburban neighborhoods in Massachusetts. Raccoons will often den in tree cavities, abandoned underground burrows, barns, chimneys, attics, or Raccoon other structures. It is important to close off any openings into sheds, attics or under decks to ensure that raccoons cannot establish a den there.

Identifying Raccoons in Massachusetts

The raccoon is one of the most easily recognizable furbearers; well known for its black face mask outlined in white and a bushy tail with alternating black and gray rings. The front and hind paws of raccoons each have 5 digits. The very dexterous front paws are used to grasp and manipulate food items. Raccoons can vary in weight from 12 – 36 pounds, with some exceptionally large raccoons reaching even heavier weights. They range in length from 23 – 38 inches including a 7 – 16 inch tail.

Raccoon Diseases

Raccoon rabies first appeared in Massachusetts in 1992 and raccoons are the primary (but not the only) carriers for this disease. Rabies is a neurological disorder that can cause raccoons to act lethargic, move in an uncoordinated manner, or exhibit unprovoked aggressive behavior. Rabies can infect most mammals including humans and common domestic pets. If there is any direct contact between a raccoon and a person or a pet, contact the Department of Public Health or your town Board of Health for guidance.

Canine distemper virus, can cause symptoms very similar to rabies. Canine distemper virus is not transmissible to humans and most domestic dogs are vaccinated against this virus, however, any raccoon that comes into contact with humans or domestic animals should be treated as a potentially rabid animal.

Raccoons are primary carriers of raccoon roundworm. The roundworm is shed in raccoon feces. Raccoon roundworm rarely has negative effects on raccoons but it can be very dangerous when it infects other mammals, such as rabbits or humans. A person can become infected by placing objects that are contaminated with raccoon feces in his or her mouth. Because of this, it is important to keep sandboxes covered, as raccoons (and neighborhood cats) may use them as latrine sites. When cleaning an area that was formerly occupied by raccoons (such as sheds or barns), wear gloves and a face mask to avoid ingestion of the raccoon roundworm eggs.

Preventing Conflicts with Raccoons in Massachusetts

Secure your garbage and compost! Raccoons will happily raid garbage cans and compost heaps. Make sure garbage is kept in tightly closed containers. Take out trash on the morning of pick-up instead of the night before. Keep compost in secure vented containers to prevent access to this attractive food source.

Do not feed or try to touch raccoons! Raccoons are wild animals and feeding, whether directly or indirectly, may cause them to lose their fear of people. Raccoons which become habituated (used to people) may approach other humans expecting food or attention. This is not safe for animals or people. Feed pets indoors! Do not put pet food outdoors under any circumstances. Pet food left outdoors inadvertently feeds a variety of wildlife including raccoons. Causing raccoons to congregate at a feeder can also facilitate the spread of disease from raccoons to other wildlife or domestic animals. Eliminate potential denning areas! Close off openings under porches and buildings. Seal any openings that lead into sheds or attics and cap off chimneys.